EDITOR'S PICK

AI, Robotics and the Coming Economic, Military, and Political Revolutions

11 Sep 2026 | Synopsis

AI and robotics could trigger sweeping economic, military and political revolutions. Automation may boost productivity while displacing workers and concentrating wealth. Autonomous weapons could transform warfare and deterrence. Nations that master the technologies may gain major strategic advantages, while those that lag risk dependency. The challenge: governing this transformation and sharing its benefits.

US Auto Alliance Demands Ban On Chinese Rivals: Cite Data Privacy, National Security

11 Sep 2026 | Synopsis

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, representing major automakers like GM, Ford, and Toyota, is urging the U.S. Congress to pass the Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026. The legislation seeks a permanent ban on Chinese-made connected vehicles, software, and hardware over data privacy and national security concerns. The push aims to prevent Chinese brands from acquiring significant market share in the U.S., citing their rapid growth in regions like Australia.

Test of Single Donut Lab Solid-State Battery Cell Shows Promise with Caveats

11 Sep 2026 | Synopsis

Finnish startup Donut Lab developed a solid-state battery cell reaching 805 Wh/L (and 409 Wh/kg), beating the 800 Wh/L benchmark used in Lucid's EVs. Tested by Finland's VTT Technical Research Center, the verified single cell shows immense potential for light, high-range batteries. However, because tests were limited to ideal lab conditions, scaling to mass production, maintaining multi-cycle durability, and overcoming high manufacturing costs remain major hurdles before real-world automotive use.

There's a Huge Economic Problem With Tesla's Cybercabs

10 Sep 2026 | Synopsis

Tesla's Cybercab fleet model shifts capital risk, maintenance costs, and legal liability onto independent operators while Tesla captures software fees and ride cuts. Critics argue that if autonomous fleets were genuinely lucrative, Tesla would keep them rather than offload rapid asset depreciation onto buyers. Unlimited cab sales could drive per-mile fares to zero through local oversupply, turning fleet ownership into a race to the bottom while operators bear the downside.

Lessons from India's Transition to Electric Vehicles

10 Sep 2026 | Synopsis

India's EV transition offers lessons for policymakers worldwide. EV adoption has reached 8.25% of new sales, driven by federal incentives and varied state strategies. Gujarat shows manufacturing alone isn't enough; Tamil Nadu combines supply with buyer incentives. Uttar Pradesh proves demand can attract factories, while Delhi shows mandates can accelerate adoption. The key lesson: successful transitions align manufacturing, demand, charging and policy certainty.